Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman (pictured here) has asked Pennsylvania lawmakers to update the wiretap laws. Speaking Tuesday before the State Senate Judiciary Committee, on behalf of the State District Attorneys Association, she said the wiretap act must address the realities of modern technology, society and the 21st Century criminal.

She said the law should allow reliable audio recordings of crimes, as they are committed, to be used in investigations and at trial and allow target-specific wiretaps in certain situations. Under the current act, law enforcement must apply for a separate court approval each time a criminal suspect gets a new pre-paid, throw-away cell phone.